Talk About Las Vegas With Ira

This week, Ira spoke with Alan Glist and Kathi Glist, producers of Menopause The Musical® and the Bronx Wanderers at Harrah’s Las Vegas. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, the Glists talk about the impact of coronavirus on the entertainment industry; the future of live entertainment in Las Vegas; why Menopause The Musical® is so successful and why they’re still passionate about it after so many years and performances; safety protocols when both shows return to production; and why they decided to move to Las Vegas and then discovered a community beyond the Strip.

This week, Ira spoke with Wayne Clingman, author of “The Life and Times of Frank Balistrieri: The Last, Most Powerful Godfather of Milwaukee.” In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Clingman talks about the power and control of Frank Balistrieri in Milwaukee; how he married into a crime family before taking the reins of leadership; the connection between the Milwaukee Mob and Las Vegas; the role of skimming from the casinos as a major source of revenue; how the feds got Balistrieri, initially through tax evasion; and the end of mob control of the Stardust and Fremont.

This week, Ira spoke with Larry Gragg, author of “Becoming America’s Playground, Las Vegas in the 1950s.” In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Gragg talks about the confluence of events that propelled Las Vegas into the consciousness of America; why local leaders and institutions coalesced around the idea of making Las Vegas a tourist destination; how entertainment was the coin of the realm for competition among resorts; and the three people he thinks were responsible for setting Las Vegas on the road to success in those years.

This week, Ira spoke with Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza Hotel & Casino. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Jossel talks about his unique journey from London to Las Vegas; how he fell in love with Downtown Las Vegas; how the area has changed over the years and the future of downtown development; his podcast, the development of the area and the future of Downtown Las Vegas; how the Plaza has differentiated itself from the competition; why he started his Plaza podcast, “On the Corner of Main Street “; and why the resort has Pickleball courts!

This week, Ira spoke with former New York Times Editor and Time Magazine Reporter Michael Cannell, author of the new book, “A Brotherhood Betrayed: The Man Behind the Rise and Fall of Murder, Inc.," published by Minotaur Books. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Cannell talks about the formation of The Commission, which was the corporate structure of organized crime and integrated disparate criminal gangs; the creation of Murder, Inc. that enforced the commission’s edicts; the incredible turnabout by the mob’s chief enforcer, who agreed to testify against the men who sanctioned the killing of witnesses, including the mob’s own soldiers; the hazy line between law enforcement and criminals; and the impact of organized crime on the formation of Las Vegas.

This week, Ira spoke with David G. Schwartz, author of “At the Sands: The Casino That Shaped Classic Las Vegas, Brought the Rat Pack Together, and Went Out With a Bang.” In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Schwartz talks about the impact of the Sands on past and present Las Vegas; its mob connection; the unique nature of its entertainment and showroom; some of the key people who controlled the resort and its operations; and why it was instrumental in promoting Las Vegas as well as itself.

This week, Ira spoke with country artist EmiSunshine, whose latest album is “Family Wars.” In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, EmiSunshine talks about her early start in music (she’s 16 now); the influence of her family in her songwriting and performing career; what’s it’s like to perform at the Grand Ole Opry; the mix of old and new country music that impacts her musical style; riding in Elvis Presley’s car; and the possibility of performing in Las Vegas.

This week, Ira spoke with Athena Patacsil, who is host of a new podcast, “Showgirl's Life,” featuring interviews with showgirls sharing stories of their former glamour days, from the 1950’s through the 1990’s. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Athena talks about her own journey from ballet dancer to principal dancer in Donn Arden’s Jubilee; why she decided to live and work in Las Vegas; how she finds former showgirls to talk about their craft and careers; and the importance of the showgirl as a symbol and part of the legacy of Las Vegas.

This week, Ira spoke with magician and author Vinny Grosso, creator of Over the Air, a virtual interactive theatrical experience. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Grosso talks about his prior career in tour managing and as a consultant in the window covering industry; his decision to make a full-time career in magic and move to Las Vegas; why he wrote his book, exposed & FEARLESS, which is filled with case studies in success; his creation of a virtual magic show for both public and private groups; and how he uniquely uses Zoom and additional technology to present online illusions that simultaneously allows the audience to participate.

This week, Ira spoke with veteran journalist Ron Futrell, who has been covering sports in Las Vegas for decades and has reported on the growth and challenges for both college and professional sports. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Futrell talks about the challenges facing Las Vegas professional and college sports as a result of the coronavirus; how major league teams will play to empty stadiums and arenas to fulfill their TV contracts and at least earn that portion of the revenue stream; the devastating financial impact on minor league teams and their players, as well as on UNLV sports; and one of the top sports stories he broke (among many Futrell has reported) that no one else in the local media would touch.

This week, Ira spoke with entertainer, actor and comedian John Byner, author of “Five Minutes, Mr. Byner, A Lifetime of Laughter.” In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Byner talks about his long career in show business; why he decided to write a book about his life and the people he met and worked with in the entertainment business; his favorite current comedian; his many impressions; and his performances in Las Vegas, which sometimes included Elvis in the audience.

This week, Ira spoke with iconic filmmaker, actor and author John Waters, author of the new book, “Mr. Know-It-All, The Tarnished Wisdom of a Filth Elder.” In this episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Waters talks about his practical tips for making movies and dealing with Hollywood; how rejection is part of show business; his connections with Las Vegas; the day Liberace called him; how this is a country where he can be a provocateur and not face the firing squad; why old friends are important; and his only regret in life.

This week, Ira spoke with Daniel K. Bubb, author of “Landing in Las Vegas: Commercial Aviation and the Making of a Tourist City.” In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Bubb talks about the impact of commercial aviation on Las Vegas and how the West was a perfect fit through speed, space, and time; the development of package deals; the symbiotic relations between airlines and Las Vegas resorts; the choice between cars and planes when coming to Las Vegas from Southern California; the impact of the coronavirus on air travel to Las Vegas; and the future of Las Vegas when dealing with a public that is hesitant to fly.

This week, Ira spoke with Reggie Burton (R. Avery Burton), author of “This is Depression.” In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas (due to coronavirus, students are returning to college or distance learning and many families are isolated at home), Burton talks about losing his son to depression and suicide, and the steps he’s taken to use the grief to help others; the statistics that show many college students facing depression; the triggers that bring on potential suicidal ideation; why people need to be preemptive in dealing with matters of mental health; and why he believes, “I’m saving lives.”

This week, Ira spoke with Geoff Schumacher, author of “Howard Hughes: Power, Paranoia, and Palace Intrigue,” Revised and Expanded. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Schumacher talks about the new material he has added to this revised and expanded edition, including the impact of Howard Hughes on Las Vegas; the men who assisted Hughes in gaining property (including casinos) in Nevada; who had the most influence on him; why Hughes remains an important figure in history; and his surprising legacy in Las Vegas.

This week, Ira spoke with Las Vegas Review-Journal feature writer and food critic Heidi Knapp Rinella. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Rinella talks about the impact of coronavirus on Las Vegas restaurants; how some creative chefs are reimagining their businesses; what kinds of dining businesses are still prospering; adapting to the “new normal”; why restaurants are not just businesses, but part of the social fabric; and the culinary future of Las Vegas.

This week, Ira spoke with award-winning Venetian vocalist Giada Valenti. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Valenti talks about her career journey from Venice to Las Vegas (where she now lives); her health scare and the biggest lesson she learned in life; her three-times-a-week Facebook Live show; her welcome by the arts and entertainment community here; the challenges for artists during the spread of the coronavirus; and how she stays optimistic.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Patrick_Caddick_071320.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Pat Caddick, who has been involved in the Los Angeles and Las Vegas music scene for more than 30 years as a musician, arranger, orchestrator, producer, and director. In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Caddick talks about his recent Facebook post that pointed out the large number of entertainment industry jobs affected by the shutdown of showrooms and lounges due to the coronavirus; how the shutdown has affected individual performers and their families; how people have stepped forward to help; ideas for bringing back entertainment options sooner rather than later; and his own career performing with some of the top names in the business.

[audio mp3=“https://talkaboutlasvegas.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Diana_Eden_070620.mp3"][/audio] This week, Ira spoke with Diana Eden, author of “Stars in Their Underwear: My unpredictable journey from Broadway dancer to costume designer for some of Hollywood's biggest stars.” In this 30-minute episode of Talk About Las Vegas, Eden talks about her 30- year career in Hollywood; working in Las Vegas with Ann-Margret for her nightclub appearances, starting in 1974 (also working with Raquel Welch and Suzanne Somers on their acts); doing fittings on costumes for Jubilee's opening at the MGM Grand and waking up in her room to the infamous fire; returning to Las Vegas the following August to remount the new show when the hotel re-opened; and her decision to move to Las Vegas after so many years in Hollywood.